For those eager to explore the nitty-gritty details of Hungarian startup salary structures, the complete survey report is available for download here. This report serves as a valuable resource for benchmarking salaries, understanding industry standards, and making informed decisions related to talent acquisition and retention. But feel free to read our short summary below.

Joining a Scale Up Company offers exceptional career path in Hungary

The Hungarian startup ecosystem has witnessed a remarkable rise in salaries nominated in EUR over the past two years, outpacing national wage growth and even exceeding compensation levels in  traditional industries.

According to our recent survey of Hungarian startups, the average gross monthly salary reached EUR 3,995 in 2024, with a median of EUR 3,791. This marks a significant increase from approximately EUR 3,000 in 2022, reflecting a 25% salary boost in 2023 and a further 8% increase in 2024. Growth-stage startups offer the most competitive salaries, with an average of EUR 4,362, compared to EUR 2,853 at early-stage startups.

This rapid salary increase is fueled by inflation, talent retention strategies, and the growing demand for skilled professionals, especially in engineering, product development, and sales roles.

How Startup Salaries Compare to the Broader Market

• 50.9% of startup employees surveyed 1.5 million gross HUF monthly, compared to just 3.4% of the general Hungarian workforce. This number jumps to 75% among Scale Up Employees surveyed.
• Only 9.3% of startup employees earn under 750,000 HUF gross monthly, whereas 85.3% of the national workforce falls into this category.

Notably, developer salaries in startups consistently exceed those in other tech-related fields both in case of manufacturing companies and large multinational enterprises.

“Based on the survey data, we can conclude that if a start up reaches the scale up phase, than it can provide the most competitive renumeration packages in Hungary. Investing in this asset class and nurturing these type of companies is still the most effective way to create high -paying jobs and offers opportunities to the highly educated workforce to stay in Hungary instead of going abroad”  

Why Work for a Startup?

Beyond competitive salaries, startups offer several unique advantages that make them an attractive career choice:

• Equity and Stock Options – 57% of startup employees receive shares or stock options, an opportunity rarely available in traditional firms.
• High-Potential Industries – With a strong focus on R&D and innovation, startups lead in technology, AI, and digital solutions, offering exposure to cutting-edge fields.
• Better Compensation for Managers – Team leaders in startups earn 56% more than individual contributors, creating a strong incentive for leadership roles.
• International Work Environment – Most startups work within global markets, building products and selling them worldwide allowing employees to build valuable international experience.

For those looking to maximize their earning potential while working in dynamic, innovative environments, startups in Hungary present an unparalleled opportunity.

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